Audi A5 coupé launched
Wattayah Motors recently launched the Audi A5 coupé in Oman. The launch of the A5 also marked the inauguration of a newly constructed extension, which is meant exclusively for Audi cars, of its existing showroom in Wattayah. The Audi A5 features a 3.2lt V6 engine (actual displacement 3,197cc) with FSI technology, which Audi developed and has been using successfully at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001; common rail injection and Audi’s valvelift technology.
 

Kia Mohave thunders in
Four-wheel drive enthusiasts in Oman are excited about the appearance of the most powerful Kia vehicle to date, the brand new Mohave full time 4WD - that offers consumers seven-seater capability and V6 power. Named after the famous desert in California, the 271 HP V6 Kia Mohave conjures up images of rugged toughness, calm stillness and extremes of temperature. The vehicle offers far greater sophistication with its mid-size class-best space, ride, performance, fuel economy and towing ability – up to 7,500 lb. In Oman, the Mohave is available with dual airbags through Reliable International Automotive, a part of the Saud Bahwan Group. It is claimed that most of the SUVs in this region do not possess many of the advanced features that Kia Mohave has. Some of the features include BAS (emergency brake assistance), DBC (Downhill Brake Control) and HAC (Hill-start Assist Control).
 

New Mondeo wins hearts
With its eye-catching exterior, high levels of standard safety and a reasonable entry price, the 2008 Mondeo is winning hearts of customers across the Middle East. The all-new Mondeo comes with 2.3 Litre engine, 6 Speed Automatic Transmission, Adaptive Cruise Control and an array of innovative features, like the revolutionary human machine interface (HMI), ‘FordPower’ starter button, capless fuelling and more. There is no manual transmission, all variants are available with six-speed automatic transmission with sequential sports shift.
 

Yukon Hybrid from GMC
GMC has introduced the all-new 2008 Yukon Hybrid with the world’s first two-mode hybrid propulsion system in an SUV. This patented hybrid technology optimises fuel economy for various driving conditions. The new Yukon Hybrid has a 6.0 Ltr V8 Vortec Engine with cam phasing and late intake valve closing. A sophisticated control module helps determine the amount of power of torque that’s required at a given moment and seamlessly selects the appropriate operating mode. The hybrid also offers up to 50 per cent improvement in city fuel economy over the non-hybrid Yukon and still provides the performance, capability and comfort of a full-size SUV.
 

Infiniti G37 Coupe unveiled
Infiniti recently unveiled the all-new Luxury Coupe Infinti G37 Coupe 2008. The G37 has sports features with a 3.7-litre V6 engine, which unleashes 350 horsepower and features VVEL technology. The G37 Coupe’s high-response VQ engine is designed to give one the feeling of unlimited acceleration. A collaboration of Infiniti designers and engineers have created the G37 Coupe’s massive 14 inch front brakes and 4 piston front calipers that grab faster and with more finite control than a sliding caliper design. The G37 Coupe comes with an 11 speaker Bose Premium Audio System.
 

Award for Proton Persona
Proton’s Persona has been named Best Model of the Year for Malaysia in the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Asean Automotive Awards.Launched in August last year, Persona is the fifth model fully built by Proton and has fast become one of the bestsellers in the Proton stable. Proton Holdings Chairman Dato’ Mohammed Azlan Hashim said that the award is testimony to Proton’s promise to deliver “the right car, for the right market, at the right price and at the right time”.
 

Captiva offers more space
The Chevrolet Captiva comes with a cavernous load capacity of 930 litres. The 1,035mm at the front and 940mm at the rear project this recent entrant to the SUV discipline as among the best in class. All this within a very compact exterior frame that’s just over 4,600mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,720mm high that sits on a wheelbase of 2,705mm. The Captiva does not compromise on safety measures. The vehicle is the first to offer the ESP technology, which compares the driver’s intended direction in steering and braking inputs, to the vehicle’s response and also integrates all-speed traction control.
 

Mazda to cut vehicle fuel consumption
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it is setting its sights on reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average of 30 per cent by 2015. This determined commitment will entail a holistic approach which includes using lightweight technologies, the upgrade of almost all of Mazda’s gasoline engines, introducing a Smart Idle Stop System, a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines worldwide. By 2015, Mazda will have almost renewed its entire power train lineup and, from 2011 aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by 100kg or more.
 

Volvo opens Yemen showroom
Yemen’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Ali Ahmad Al-Sayyaghi recently inaugurated the Sana’a showroom of World Volvo Cars, affiliated with El-Aghil Trade Group, the sole agent for Volvo Cars in Yemen. Accordingn to Abdullah Ahmad El Aghil, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Sweden in Yemen and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors at El-Aghil Trade Group, the company provides several facilities to clients including sale by installments through different banks, specifically as the new batch of Volvo vehicles is considered the most modern and luxurious in the world of cars.
 

More space in Nissan Tiida
The Nissan Tiida offers 18 per cent more knee and 7 per cent more interior space, making it one of the most comfortable and spacious entry midsize vehicles available. Premium quality upholstery tops off the interior of the Tiida. The newly designed 1.6L engine offers plenty of power and great mileage. The Tiida now offers alloy wheels, car bluetooth kit, rear parking sensor and rear spoiler. Suhail Bahwan Automobiles will also offer customers purchasing the Tiida, a comprehensive vehicle service plan for two years/ 40,000km (whichever is earlier).
 

GMnext website launched
As a part of its Centennial celebrations, General Motors (GM) has launched a website aimed primarily at young Internet users across the world. www.gmnext.com is an online community that provides an interactive platform where today’s generation can share their thoughts and ideas, find information, view videos and comment on the automotive issues of today and the future. The website has something for everyone, including plug-in sections that showcase music, blogs, RSS feeds and podcasts.

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